Botanica's Butterfly Hunt

Although this is not a regular "site," it's worth mentioning because Cara holds regular hunts at her beautiful, low-prim garden center. I participated in the spring Easter Egg hunt, and the summer butterfly one is even more fun (and just as hard but worth the work).  A nice surprise was the free butterfly Fourth of July wings and fireworks on the Fourth. Here are some photos:

At the starting point, grab your butterfly collection cage (and net if you join the group)

In the butterfly house (where butterflies caught are released in exchange for a prize).  Notice wings can be attached.  The full beauty of them is on the back.

And here is the prize (wanna ride?)

Butterfly Hunt at Botanica: http://secondlife.com/destination/botanica-butterfly-hunt

SL9B Memories

I know it's a little late, but I wanted to share some photos I took of some of the exhibits I visited at SL9B.  While I didn't have much time to spend, I was impressed by some of the creative and interactive builds.  Kittycats had two exhibits, a celebration party and a jungle.  The Community Virtual Library's exhibit showcased the offerings and events of the library community in SL.  Others featured informative, fun, futuristic, immersive, lovely sights that included freebies or souvenirs all contributed by residents and groups to celebrate Second Life's 9th birthday.

Virtual Glass Blowing Exhibit

A new Fun-draising exhibit created by Rolig Loon for the CVL features a small glass studio where you can visit and learn about glass blowing and safety information, see a glass furnace, watch a video, receive notecards, and view lovely pieces of SL glass in several shapes and sizes.  If you make any donation, you receive a tote bag.  If you make a donation of $150 or more, you can choose a piece of glass, as well.  Although the exhibit is small, it is very well researched and worth visiting.  All donations go toward a great casue, too.
Here are a few photos:

 

Info Island, CVL Monthly Exhibit Space (159,118,24)

Catalyst: a Scottish Dance Club with an "underground" Fort

I was recently invited to attend a concert at a virtual replica of Duncarron Fort, reached by teleport from the Scottish Club Catalyst.
The club  is co-owned by Rik Xaris, a real life Pipe Major from Scotland and Brielle Coronet from the U.S.  What makes Catalyst stand out from the crowd is that it is the only club in SL to only play Celtic music all day, every day.  The club also offers concerts, piping shows and more!
Catalyst opened in late 2010 and has found a niche in the SL community.  It has over 320 members and is growing strong.  The club also is home to several Celtic bands, such as Saor Patrol, Drones & Drums and the Medieval pipe and drum band, Aurum Aquila.  All the bands have been given exclusive permission by their real life counterparts to perform and play their music in Second Life. 
The club has a mascot, Hamish, a "toffee coo" Highland bull.

Although I caught only the very end of the concert and didn't even have time to find appropriate clothes, I was able to grab a tambourine and sword and join in the festivities.

The May 6 concert was performed by Saor Patrol ( pronounced 'shore' comes from the Gaelic word ‘Saorsa’, means freedom / liberty). the following information about the band and the May 6 concert was provided by Brielle.  The band combines old musical Celtic roots with modern instruments by blending the Great Highland bagpipes and thundering drums with electric guitar, making for a truly unique sound described as “Tribal” and “Celtic Rock.” While on tour they will even provide educational talks about their culture youths and adults, many of whom have never encountered a Scots in person. The reason why they do this is because all the band’s members are also volunteers from the Clanranald Trust for Scotland, a non-profit recognized organization in Scotland, whose aim is to spread awareness about Scottish culture and heritage through entertainment and education. One of the projects close to Saor Patrol’s heart is a replica of a medieval Scottish village named Duncarron Fort which is currently under construction by the Clanranald Trust in Scotland with help from proceeds of the band. In addition, all the band members are also members of Combat International, an organization that supplies trained combat crews and advisors to the Film and TV industry, such as Robin Hood, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and more. Saor Patrol’s piper Charlie Allan got the idea to form Saor Patrol during the filming of Gladiator. All the band is from the ranks of the Clanranald Trust for Scotland. Although the band is separate from the Trust one heavily promotes the other at all times.

In early 2012, Saor Patrol gave exclusive permission to Celtic Connection Productions, a cultural entertainment company founded by Brielle Coronet and Rik Xaris, to portray and perform as them in Second Life for the purpose of promoting and advancing awareness about Scottish culture. Rik is a real life Pipe Major from Scotland who has had a lifelong appreciation of piping and is a seasoned performer in SL. To further achieve their goals, Rik built a virtual replica of Duncarron Fort, complete a battering ram, an animated blacksmith and interactive educational garden about the medicinal use of plants during Medieval times.

Club Catalyst is a fun place to visit whether you are Scottish or not.  For more information about the club or Saor Patrol, contact Brielle Coronet or Rik Xaris.

Slurl to Cataylst:  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Raroia%20Bay/228/180/2007

New Synthetic Theater's Ninety-Nine Percent

For those seeking an immersive experience in Second Life, the New Synthetic Theater's showing of Ninety-Nine Percent certainly fits the bill.  While only ten-minutes long, this ongoing production, situates your avatar in the center of the action.  Not to give away some of the surprises, a few photos are included from the show.  To participate, you need to purchase a $50L ticket which you wear throughout the event.  You must also detach any AO's you are wearing.  All other instructions are given prior to the start of each show.  Slurl to Theater: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ZoHa%20Islands%20E/64/220/22

The New Rainbow Gardens

It's hard to believe that I've owned and operated the Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial Center since the spring of 2008, so I guess it's a good time for a change.  This one brings with it a lot more room and a lot more prims, something we are always in need of in SL. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Rainbow Gardens, I will provide a brief history.  I joined Second Life in March, 2007.  Shortly after joining, I lost my beloved cat of 15 years, Floppy.  I wanted a place to memorialize him virtually, but I couldn't find one, so I spoke with a friend, Rocky Vallejo, who had created a human memorial for his daughter at Rachelville, and he helped me find some land on Cybrary City II.  A few other people helped, Cindy Elkhart, BrianA Corleone, and Lorelei Junot.  We started a group (of which currently over 100 residents are members, some who have been very generous with donations).  We placed memorial candle and headstone givers, a pet viewer of photos, and a chapel gazebo in a garden-like center.  Events and exhibits were scheduled periodically.

Recently, I noticed some land for sale nearby Rainbow Gardens.  I inquired into purchasing it with donations we had received.  With the extra room, I "planted" more flowers and trees including a weeping willow by our pet viewer.  I gave our mascot, Lady Rainbow the Collie, free space to wander.  I added my own pet-able Kittycats, Amaretto horses in a stable, some spring sheep, and a few swans to a small lake on the land.  I created a Wonderland area where people could sit on mushrooms and enjoy some tea next to a Cheshire cat tree.  At the suggestion of a member, I also added the Rainbow Bridge poem by the pet viewer. 

On Sunday, May 20, I will host an open house where people can stop by at anytime to view the expansion.  Between 2 and 4 pm SLT that day, there will be dancing, and I will make a reopening speech.  I am also running a contest from May 1 to May 15, and the winner will be announced at that event.  The contest details will be sent to the Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial group.  If anyone else would like a copy or is interested in joining the group, IM me or send an email to dulciemills@yahoo.com

Slurl to the new Rainbow Gardens: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City%20II/223/97/22

Phantom Rose Light Show

I recently attended a beautiful light show on the grounds (actually a sky platform) of the Phantom Rose Opera House.  The show featured fireworks and laser lights set to opera music.  Below is a few of the photos I took while attending the show, but they don't do the incredible show justice.  For more information on the Phantom Rose's events (and they have a full schedule of operas, ballets, performances, and other activities every Sunday and occasionally on other days during the month), join their inworld group or check their website at http://phantomrose.com/index.html

Besides events, the Opera House and its grounds are lovely.  There are free gowns and tuxedos by the entrance, and many areas on the sim that are romantic and fun to explore.